How do you stay productive? π€
Ivan Ralic
20 replies
Wearing multiple hats has definitely a huge impact to anyone's productivity. Design a visual, build a product, talk to customers, ask for advice, respond to that email, help your colleague.. π€¨
We all do this? Right?
Through past 10 years in making products I've come to some conclusions about staying productive.
I would love to hear your hacks π
Here's my "algorithm"
πͺ GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP
β Deep work sessions (at least 4-5 hour intervals)
β Start with quick wins so 1st hour passes
β After 1st hour, deep work starts getting effective
β Take on more difficult tasks
π΅βπ« BAD NIGHT OF SLEEP
β Pomodoro Technique (50-10 or 45-15)
β Never seat at your table when it's pause
β Clean room, listen short video/podcast, exercise
How you do it? Please leave your hack and tips below π π
We could even build a "Guide for Productivity - From makers for makers" π
Replies
Warda Bukhari@warda_bukhari1
Thank you for sharing these tips. I had actually never tried the Pomodoro technique, will give that a go today.
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@warda_bukhari1 glad to hear that!
There are a lot of Pomodoro Timer Apps out there, but you really don't need one. Just pick either a 30 or 60 min intervals, and start on full or half hour, it gives you consistency π
Example
XX:30 β Work (45 mins)
XX:15 β Pause (15 mins)
Or:
XX:30 β Work (25 mins)
XX:55 β Pause (5 mins)
XX:00 β Work (25 mins)
XX:25 β Pause (5 mins)
That's a solid algorithm, Ivan!
It's great you have a system to adapt to different scenarios. It's a more realistic approach than having a set-in-stone type of schedule.
What I've found to be an interesting approach is to track yourself throughout the day. That way, you're mindful of how much time/effort you allocate to x, y, and z tasks. Those metrics will give you a clearer picture of where to optimize your process to be more productive.
@remusdb awesome advice! I've done that religiously for years. And every now-and-then when I would loose my grit I would come back to just tracking every 15-min interval of the day. By only tracking it you become more productive, and as a side effect you get the data to optimize even more ππ
Great algorithm! I would add regular reviews and reflections. Take time to review your progress regularly and reflect on what can be improved.
@imlindsay yeah that's definitely the way to go π
I've came to this algorithm that works for me by doing exactly that, for a pretty long time π
The biggest "aha" moment for me was that I can have different operating modes for different days. Before that it was a constant struggle because you only need a few days of unproductiveness to lose your grit and reset your habit schedule π
My trick is Podcasts(Design matters by Debbie Millman - Bless her) and TED talks!
@alishahlakhani awesome, you listen them while you work? π
I guess you do some kind of visual job usually (UX/UI/Video/Animation/..)?
When I work on anything with words (dev, copy, sales, support) it's hard for me to listen to anything with words, even songs. Only thing with words I can listen is Rammstein because they have constant rhythm and I don't speak German π
@ralic wellβ¦ Iβm an developer by profession and I know that most devs donβt listen while they code but 60% of the time, Iβm doing something so common that it has become second nature for me lol.
I love to listen to lofi music or cafe music when I need to SERIOUSLY code something important.
Great insight, Ivan! I love this Good/Bad Night of Sleep categorization. Never tried Pomodoro before but will give it a go definitely.
My thing for being productive is good music, clear overview of tasks on Notion and phone in the other room!
@andriyuh glad to hear that I'm spreading the word about Pomodoro, it's a great technique π
Thanks for sharing! I π― agree with "Phone in the other room" hack. A simple way to remove all distractions π€
Don't know If it's my phone or it's generally available, but the "Focus Mode" is a great way to remove all distractions in office environment (when there's no other room for your phone) π
β Never seat at your table when it's a pause
β Clean the room, listen to short videos/podcasts, exercise, or go for a walk
In my case, this works! π
@gordana_laskovic yeah, you're all about exercising and cleaning. I'm just super grateful you don't navy-seal force the rest of us to be as dedicated as you are ππ
Rest well!! When I get a good night of sleep, I am much more able to stay productive the next day.
Yeah, I use Pomodore as well during worst of my days.
In such days also specific music helps - movie soundtracks, nature, Vikind folk.
Sometime changing positions also make work more effective, like usage of standing desk.
Do you also write a To Do list? How are you organize planning process?
@nevemind_com π―% agree, I also usually listen to music either "Alpha Waves" or any kind of "High productivity work music" from YouTube π
Off course, we have team's to-do list, founders to-do list and I have my own daily check-in. It's a mix of short form journaling and to-do list with "The One Thing" in mind.
That way I start my day with meditation, journaling, gratitude in 15-ish minutes, see what's important and use my first session of deep work to do so π